What do you look for when you exchange links?

[janeth]

Hi all this is my question when you are going to exchange links with someone what to do look for.

Ninety-five percent of the most popular Search Engines now use link popularity.

WebSeed compliments the use of link popularity, calling it, "... an extraordinary success," and declaring the technique, "... impossible to counterfeit." Link popularity is a highly-successful method for determining the relevancy of Web pages. WebSeed says, "those marketers who don't recognize the accelerating trend of site popularity will be left behind."

There are no shortcuts to the process of building link popularity. You are going to have to work hard to achieve it.

But what do you look at to determine what a good site would be.

This is my list I would like to know what everyone else thinks about it and would like to be corrected where I need to be and add please add to the list.

1. Your web site needs to be linked to quality web sites in categories related to your subject.
2. Although I do not use page rank to determine whether I will link to a site I do look at page rank if a site has a page rank of zero I want to know why before I link to it. I realize everyone has to start some where but I want to make sure this is the reason.
3. I want to make sure the sites look good and have good content or something that would serve my customers.
4. I know this is not proper but I want a link back. If you do not put a link back I will not link to you.

Always try to include your best Keywords in the title rather than just your web site name. Many Search Engines will boost your rankings when it finds sites linking to you that include your Keywords in the linking text.

[drummin]

Yes, Yes Janeth,
But, There are times when you don’t want links from the same specific product line as yours, as they would be your competition. And to find a related topic that is not competing for your business can be hard to find, though not impossible. When I find a site that falls into these categories, then I judge it by content. I have added their link to my site and asked them for the same and gotten no response. Because of this I didn’t include them on my last site update. Though I have done some searching I haven’t devoted the time needed build up link partnerships. I believe this is important. I will probably broaden the field of allowable categories in order to reach a larger target and lessen the chance of competition.
Drummin

[janeth]

Hi drummin,
Yes I understand what your saying 100% but I look at competition different then most people. If I see a site I feel like is better then mine then I will go back and work on my on site. I'm not scared of competition and look at it in different ways.
Most people build websites and sit back and wait for the customers. They do not try and fine to there sites or give the customer any information I do not feel like the sites are competition.
Then you have the people that feel like you should wait 24 hours before you answer an email. I love these people I already sold the site before they answer there email.
Another words I feel like the competition makes me better and I welcome it.
But I'm different then most people.

[janeth]

Hi drummin,
Yes I understand what your saying 100% but I look at competition different then most people. If I see a site I feel like is better then mine then I will go back and work on my on site. I'm not scared of competition and look at it in different ways.
Most people build websites and sit back and wait for the customers. They do not try and fine to there sites or give the customer any information I do not feel like the sites are competition.
Then you have the people that feel like you should wait 24 hours before you answer an email. I love these people I already sold the site before they answer there email.
Another words I feel like the competition makes me better and I welcome it.
But I'm different then most people.

[info202]

1.I look for sites that I feel are relevant to mine.. I link to competitive sites, as long as they are not in my own geographical area (although I realize that clients come from all over and not just in your back yard - but I feel the norm is that clients would rather work with somewhat local designers)..
2.I also want to make sure that whatever site I link to is of good quality... some of the sites I have looked at are pretty awful (I'm not saying that mine is that superior, but.....)
I look at ranking somewhat, but if everyone else were to do that, no one would link to me... when I first starting looking for links, my Google rank was "zero".. now I am up to "3" and I do beleive it is because someone took a chance a linked to me..
3. I will not link to sites that I feel are trashy.. that is, x-rated or racist or hate filled... I have one casino site linked, but I would prefer no more of them.
4. I want sites that are think are useful - either to a client or to other designers, as in resource sites.

Now... I have a question.... When I request a link, I put that site's link on my page... How long should I keep that link up if I have not heard anything from that site? I try not to be impulsive... I just got a confirmation of a link that I requested on 9/23/03 (I guess they were backed up with requests.. LOL).. How long do any of you keep an un-reciprocated link on your site?

Mary Ann

[rlrouse]

I believe that you need to be flexible in deciding who to exchange links with. At least for now, Google doesn't seem to care how related your site is to your link patners'. At least I can't see any evidence of this in the rankings. And if Google ever does place an emphasis on theming, I believe that the worst case scenario is that an unrelated link will be given less weight or simply ignored. I don't think a penalty of any kind will be involved.

My experience has been that a link from almost any non-penalized site is worthwhile, for targeted traffic as well as ranking, as long as you use your target keywords in the anchor text and a very accurate and useful description. An obvious exception would be a link or or from an adult site.

[esiegel]

OK..what about in a case like mine....Competitors won't like to us (or us to them) for ovbious reasons.

Customers don't link to us...because it makes it too easy for their competitors to figure out their chemistry (technology).

We don't really want Suppliers linking to us...because it makes it too easy for our competitors to figure out our chemistry (technology).

So that leaves the limited number of industry publications and organizations...which are the same links that our competition has....no advantage.

Where do you go from there?

[rlrouse]

Customers don't link to us...because it makes it too easy for their competitors to figure out their chemistry (technology).

How do you know that your customers won't link to you? Have you asked them or is this a guess?

We don't really want Suppliers linking to us...because it makes it too easy for our competitors to figure out our chemistry (technology).

Have you considered the possibility that the benefits of being able to gain a number of quality reciprocal links may outweigh the benefits of all of this secrecy?

If no one visits your site, does it make any difference that your competitors don't know your chemistry? Only you know enough about your business and your industry to be able to answer that question, but it is something worth considering if you haven't already.

Also, have you considered exchanging links with sites that are in related industies? Every industry has related industries that complement it without competing with it.

[esiegel]

[quote="rlrouse
How do you know that your customers won't link to you? Have you asked them or is this a guess?
).


Have you considered the possibility that the benefits of being able to gain a number of quality reciprocal links may outweigh the benefits of all of this secrecy?[/quote]


In many cases our customers will not even allow us to tell anyone we are doing business with them...let alone WHAT we are doing for them. You'd be suprised how secretive package makers can be.

[rlrouse]

Wow, that's a secretive bunch! I guess your only options are to seek out reciprocals with sites outside of your industry or buy a few high-quality links from large sites. At least a few high-quality inbound links are essential, whatever the source.